Mayim Bialik, star of The Big Bang Theory, finds herself in big trouble this week.
That’s what happens after you pen an op-ed for The New York Times in which you essentially blame the victims of sexual assault for getting assaulted.
Over the weekend, Bialik really did write a guest article for the aforementioned publication in response to the heinous allegations surrounding Harvey Weinstein.
With dozens of women having come out and accused the film producer of sexual misconduct, Bialik took the pompous stance that women need to think about how they look and act if they wish to avoid… rape.
“As a proud feminist with little desire to diet, get plastic surgery or hire a personal trainer, I have almost no personal experience with men asking me to meetings in their hotel rooms,” Bialik wrote early in her piece, earning immediate scorn.
Just… WHAT?!?
Who says any of these abused women got plastic surgery? Or were obsessed with dieting?
And, even if they did or they were, how does one then claim – in any tiny way, shape or form – that these interests mean a woman deserves to get assaulted or harassed?!?
“If you are beautiful and sexy, terrific,” the actress continued, adding:
“But having others celebrate your physical beauty is not the way to lead a meaningful life.
“And if – like me – you’re not a perfect 10, know that there are people out there who will find you stunning, irresistible and worthy of attention, respect and love.
“The best part is you don’t have to go to a hotel room or a casting couch to find them.”
There’s no way to interpret this stance in any way aside from Bialik saying women are somewhat to blame for getting raped.
Just act uglier and you’ll be ignored, she’s saying.
After getting dragged over the Internet coals for her opinion, Bialik lashed out at the “vicious” critics and said she would address the topic further in a Facebook Live chat on Monday.
In this chat, Bialik made an important distinction.
“There is no way to avoid being a victim of assault by what you wear or the way you behave,” she said, explaining that her comments were only in reference to the “culture of Hollywood” that she’s experienced over the years.
“I was not speaking about assault and rape in general,” she added.
She went on to blame Hollywood instead of the actresses who were assaulted themselves, saying the industry encourages women to “present” themselves in a certain way.
“I feel protected in my industry more when I keep parts of myself private,” she said.
“It gives a feeling of comfort and a layer of protection, but it does not make you immune to assault.”
Bialik also apologized and said she was “deeply, deeply hurt” if any person that is actually has been a victim of assault thought she was blaming them in any way.
Many did.
Stars such as Patricia Arquette and Gabrielle Union Tweeted in protest of Bialik, sharing their deeply personal stories of rape and assault in order to prove clothing played no role in what happened to them.
So at least the actress has tried here to clarify her comments.
And, look, perhaps there is some kind of column to write about Hollywood’s standards of beauty and how they place stressful burdens on young female stars.
But that issue wasn’t at play in the case of Harvey Weinstein being a grotesque monster.
And it’s certainly not what Mayim Bialik wrote about in her op-ed.
